ICANN seeks providers for domain name review panels
ICANN has launched a request for information to find providers for two review panels that will oversee applications in the next round of new domain endings (gTLDs), set to open in April 2026. The panels will review applications involving geographic names and reserved names to ensure they follow ICANN’s rules, with responses due by 3 October 2025.
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has opened a request for information (RFI) to find organisations that could manage two important review panels for its next round of new internet domain endings, known as generic top-level domains (gTLDs). This new round of applications is scheduled to begin in April 2026.
The two panels are the Geographic Names Panel (GNP) and the Reserved Names Panel (RNP). Their job is to check whether new domain name applications follow ICANN’s rules. The GNP will look at applications to see if a proposed domain name refers to a place, such as a city or country, and verify the supporting documents provided. The RNP will review applications that involve ‘reserved names’—words and terms that are restricted under ICANN’s rules, such as certain organisation names. This panel will also handle exceptions, like cases where international organisations are allowed to apply for certain names, and confirm that applicants have provided the right paperwork.
ICANN’s goal with this RFI is to learn more about potential providers, including how they would do the work, what expertise they bring, the costs involved, and any challenges they foresee. Since the tasks of the two panels are similar, ICANN hopes to find one provider that can handle both roles.
This is the first step in a two-stage process. After the RFI, ICANN will issue a formal request for proposals (RFP), where providers can submit detailed bids. Any interested organisation can participate. Formal responses must be submitted through ICANN’s sourcing tool by 3 October 2025 at 23:59 UTC, with access requested by emailing Nxt.Rnd.Geo_Rsvd.Nms.Pnl-rfi@icann.org.
What is a gTLD?
A generic top-level domain (gTLD) is the ending part of a website address, like .com, .org, or .info. ICANN occasionally opens new application rounds so that companies, communities, or organisations can apply to run new gTLDs, such as .shop or .city. To make sure the system is fair and respects international rules, special panels review applications before approval.
